Sterile Services Manager (Horton)

Sterile Services Manager (Horton) The closing date is 18 March 2026

• Manage a specific sterile services department within the OUH, ensuring the highest quality through the optimum use of resources, delivering against agreed targets and within budget.
• Line manager all supervisory and technical sterile services staff, working within Good Manufacturing Practice Guidelines within the production unit.
• Provide specialist knowledge and information with regard to sterile services within the Trust.
• Ensure that all resources including plan and staff are effectively organised.
• Deputise for and assist the Head of Sterile Services in their duties relating to the provision of sterile services for the Trust in their absence.
• Ensure that the Sterile Services Department (SSD) continues to comply with legislation applicable to medical device decontamination in the NHS e.g. Compliance with ISO 13485 and the Medical Device Regulations, and associated quality management systems.
• Monitor the service and ensure that high standards are maintained and technical requirements are achieved in accordance with strategic requirements.

Main duties of the job The Sterile Services Manager oversees daily operations of the department, ensuring high standards in medical device decontamination, staff management, and compliance with regulations like ISO 13485. The role includes planning workflows, managing budgets, and deputising for the Head of Sterile Services. Key duties involve technical leadership, equipment maintenance, developing procedures, and supporting staff development. The manager leads quality assurance, audits, and maintains information systems, while ensuring health and safety through risk assessments and training. Effective communication with staff and service users, collaboration on service improvement, and adherence to Trust policies are essential. The role requires autonomy, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

About us Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles.

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Job responsibilities The Sterile Services Manager is responsible for managing a specific sterile services department within Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), ensuring the highest quality of service through optimal use of resources, and delivering against agreed targets and within budget. The post holder acts as the line manager for all supervisory and technical sterile services staff, working within Good Manufacturing Practice Guidelines. They provide specialist knowledge and information regarding sterile services across the Trust, ensuring all resources, including staff and equipment, are effectively organised.

The manager deputises for and assists the Head of Sterile Services, ensuring continuity of service provision in their absence. A key aspect of the role is ensuring that the Sterile Services Department (SSD) complies with all relevant legislation and quality management systems, such as ISO 13485 and the Medical Device Regulations. The manager is also responsible for monitoring service standards and ensuring technical requirements are met in line with strategic objectives.

Managerial responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational management of service delivery.
• Line manage sterile services staff, including absence management, disciplinary actions, performance appraisals, and recruitment.
• Plan and prioritise work to ensure timely decontamination of reusable medical devices, meeting organisational targets.
• Manage, train, and assess the competence of Medical Device Decontamination Science Practitioners.
• Offer guidance to all departmental staff and develop key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Act as budget holder, ensuring departmental operations remain within financial constraints.
• Deputise for the Head of Sterile Services as required.
• Contribute to the development, monitoring, and evaluation of service performance against objectives and KPIs.
• Liaise with internal and external customers to ensure needs are met according to service level agreements.
• Maintain and promote high standards of departmental safety and manage risk assessments.
• Implement Trust, Directorate, and specialist policies, demonstrating effective project and change management skills.

Scientific and Technical

• Oversee day-to-day management and maintenance of all departmental systems.
• Work unsupervised across all areas of the speciality.
• Plan and prioritise departmental workflow, ensuring optimal use of staff and equipment.
• Take technical responsibility for the department, including security of buildings, equipment, and chemicals.
• Ensure routine maintenance and operation of specialist decontamination equipment.
• Undertake specialist equipment testing, research, and development.
• Develop and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and monitor consumables.
• Attend specialist meetings and conventions, contributing to service development.
• Manage staff CPD, conduct literature reviews, and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Record, interpret, and authorise equipment and environmental test results.

Research and Development

• Oversee and evaluate new equipment, materials, and methodologies.
• Lead research and development projects under the Head of Sterile Services.
• Organise and participate in validation of new equipment and processes.
• Develop new protocols and procedures, including those impacting other disciplines.
• Collate and present technical data for review and analysis.

Quality Assurance and Information Systems

• Manage the departments Quality Policy, Technical File, and Quality Manual, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
• Lead service development and improvement to ensure safe, effective, and cost-efficient delivery.
• Manage internal and external audit programmes, liaising with regulatory and accreditation bodies (e.g., MHRA, CQC).
• Ensure ongoing compliance with accreditation standards and manage departmental processes for quality assurance.
• Maintain and manage departmental information systems, including electronic tracking, rosters, procurement, and incident reporting.
• Audit data held on departmental systems and assist in preparing records for the quality management system.

Health and Safety

• Conduct risk assessments and address departmental risks to internal and external environments.
• Monitor and audit work areas for safety, ensuring compliance with legislation and Trust policies.
• Ensure staff receive appropriate training and supervision for equipment operation.
• Complete and ensure statutory and mandatory training for all staff.

Education and Training

• Develop and improve expertise through meetings, CPD, and maintaining a professional portfolio.
• Facilitate and participate in staff training and development planning.
• Maintain staff training and competence records.
• Act as a point of contact for education and training providers and professional bodies (e.g., IDSc).
• Develop and manage departmental training programmes, promoting a positive training culture.

Communications and Working Relationships

• Maintain effective communication within the team to ensure efficient service running.
• Respond to customer and service user enquiries, providing complex technical guidance.
• Participate in and lead team meetings, ensuring regular communication with the Head of Sterile Services and junior staff.
• Coordinate and minute departmental meetings as required, and attend external meetings as appropriate.

Service Improvement

• Work with service users to ensure the service meets stakeholder expectations and gather feedback.
• Collaborate with the Head of Sterile Services and other managers to develop and implement evidence-based protocols and policies.
• Participate in Trust committees and working groups to ensure compliance with decontamination standards.

Key Relationships

• Head of Sterile Services: Direct line manager; provides guidance, support, and escalation for complex issues.
• . click apply for full job details